Top Ten teams thus far this (now 1/4 way thru) 21st Century?

[74_75_78_79_]

2000 thru 2024. That makes, now, a quarter of a century - 25 seasons!

I recently opined that this current Eagles Lombardi winner may very well be in the top-two with the '13 Seahawks. But maybe there are some here who feel that the very Pete Carroll-led champ may not even be #1 yet alone this '24 Birds Installment. And, of course, teams can be included on your lists that, somehow, didn't finish on top. Very sure-enough, the 2007 Patriots will be on everyone's list and, likely-enough, near the top of most or even at #1.

What are your opinions?

Yes, it doesn't have to be ranked 10 to 1. A simple list of ten in no particular order could suffice.

What teams this Century can hold their own against enough champs from yesterdecade? Which of those longer ago champs would they be able to beat; and, no, not just the obvious/considered-the-weakest of them but noticeably better than that. For example, I think this '24 Eagles team is better, for their time, than the '81 Forty Niners; and I respect them more than most (of course both have that big thing in common...rookie secondaries)

[Brian wolf]

Tough call ... 2013 Seattle team was better than 2000 Ravens but 2002 Bucs were up there along with 2004 NE. The 2007 NE team had a great year but lost the last game.

10) 2014 NE
9) 2008 Pitts
8) 2006 Indy
7) 2012 Balt
6) 2000 Balt
5) 2002 TB
4) 2003 NE
3) 2013 Seatt
2) 2007 NE
1) 2004 NE

[Brian wolf]

I might have rated the 2012 Ravens too highly, though many talented players. They should have lost to Denver but once they got lucky with that long TD pass in the playoff game and win, they easily dispatched the Patriots before hanging on against SF. They might have been better in 2011, but dropped a TD pass that kept them from playing in the SB.

49er fans are upset feeling the Ravens got away with pass interference against Crabtree in the endzone to end the SB but I felt it was a great no-call, where the defender was aggressive and the referees let them battle and decide it.

I might have to trade their spot with the 2014 Patriots but not sure. As I showed, I felt the teams from the first part of the decade were much tougher without rules changes, restricting the defenses.

I know the Seahawks had a dominant year in 2013, but I still feel the 2004 and 2007 Patriots were better, top to bottom. Close though. I tried not to list teams that simply got hot in the postseason after a so-so regular season, though the 2012 Ravens qualify after being better in 2011. Haha ... I might have to revise the list.

[Brian wolf]

Revised List ... Top Teams of 21st Century

2004 Patriots -- many may disagree with a young, inexperienced secondary--that grew up quickly-- and role-playing receivers but was any team really tougher? They dispatched a record-setting offense in Indy before easily beating Pittsburgh. They beat down the Eagles, where their QB and receiver still feud to this day, though the game score was closer than the game itself.

2007 Patriots -- Might be the best team but lost their final game.

2013 Seahawks -- A SB win so dominant, that it changed the game to ensure more offensive football advantages while restricting defensive aggressiveness.

2003 -- Patriots were showing the 2001 team wasnt a fluke, though they disappointed in 2002

2002 Bucs -- Finally got by the Eagles and flattened a team that had a disastrous week leading to the game. The Raiders players swear they were sabotaged by their own coaching staff.

2000 Ravens -- I debated where to put this team? The Titans season might have been better but the Ravens defense hit its stride after out-hitting them in the playoff game. Either team would have dispatched the NFC champion, though the Vikings seem to quit on their coach in the NFC Championship game.

2006 Colts -- Manning finally gets his championship as the offense does its thing, while the defense finally proves it can stop any team once they can get by Baltimore and NE. John Harbaugh may make the HOF, but the team has lost huge postseason games at home in 2006,* 2019, and 2023. The Ravens also had the Patriots on the ropes in 2011 and 2014 postseasons but blew it.

2008 Steelers -- Wasnt sure about this team as well, who were lucky to have gotten by the Cardinals in the SB. A tough team that didnt have to worry about Brady, Manning or the Titans in the postseason.

2014 Patriots -- Were lucky to not have to face the Broncos or worry about Lynch getting the chance to win the SB for Seattle.

2011 Ravens -- Despite not winning it all, the Ravens used their crushing defeat to the Patriots, to get revenge the following season. I believe they beat the Giants in the SB, had Lee Evans caught that pass in NE.

Some people may choose the Packers in 2011, Carolina in 2015, the Chiefs in 2019, Denver in 2012 or 2013 or NE in 2010 or 2018 but very close and subjective. The decade from 2010-2019 was much different than 2000-2009.

*Edited ... I was wrong. Billick coached the Ravens in 2006 but was gone after 2007. This playoff loss at home to the Colts in 2006/07 didnt help. Harbaugh took over in 2008.

[CSKreager]

Revised List ... Top Teams of 21st Century

2004 Patriots -- many may disagree with a young, inexperienced secondary--that grew up quickly-- and role-playing receivers but was any team really tougher? They dispatched a record-setting offense in Indy before easily beating Pittsburgh. They beat down the Eagles, where their QB and receiver still feud to this day, though the game score was closer than the game itself.

2007 Patriots -- Might be the best team but lost their final game.

2013 Seahawks -- A SB win so dominant, that it changed the game to ensure more offensive football advantages while restricting defensive aggressiveness.

2003 -- Patriots were showing the 2001 team wasnt a fluke, though they disappointed in 2002

2002 Bucs -- Finally got by the Eagles and flattened a team that had a disastrous week leading to the game. The Raiders players swear they were sabotaged by their own coaching staff.

2000 Ravens -- I debated where to put this team? The Titans season might have been better but the Ravens defense hit its stride after out-hitting them in the playoff game. Either team would have dispatched the NFC champion, though the Vikings seem to quit on their coach in the NFC Championship game.

2006 Colts -- Manning finally gets his championship as the offense does its thing, while the defense finally proves it can stop any team once they can get by Baltimore and NE. John Harbaugh may make the HOF, but the team has lost huge postseason games at home in 2006,* 2019, and 2023. The Ravens also had the Patriots on the ropes in 2011 and 2014 postseasons but blew it.

2008 Steelers -- Wasnt sure about this team as well, who were lucky to have gotten by the Cardinals in the SB. A tough team that didnt have to worry about Brady, Manning or the Titans in the postseason.

2014 Patriots -- Were lucky to not have to face the Broncos or worry about Lynch getting the chance to win the SB for Seattle.

2011 Ravens -- Despite not winning it all, the Ravens used their crushing defeat to the Patriots, to get revenge the following season. I believe they beat the Giants in the SB, had Lee Evans caught that pass in NE.

Some people may choose the Packers in 2011, Carolina in 2015, the Chiefs in 2019, Denver in 2012 or 2013 or NE in 2010 or 2018 but very close and subjective. The decade from 2010-2019 was much different than 2000-2009.

*Edited ... I was wrong. Billick coached the Ravens in 2006 but was gone after 2007. This playoff loss at home to the Colts in 2006/07 didnt help. Harbaugh took over in 2008.

2004 Pats had more balance and a better point differential

03 Pats could not run the ball and had too many close calls (they were arguably 4 plays away from 10-6)

[JameisBrownston]

Besides the 07 Pats and the "modern tragedy" Chargers, it's hard to think of a team this century that felt complete on both sides of the ball. Every great defense had a subpar offense (00 Ravens, 02 Bucs, 15 Broncos... seems they all still won the SB tho) and every great offense had a subpar defense (11 Packers, 13 Broncos, 18 Rams/Chiefs... none of them won the SB). I guess defense really does win Championships. This year's Philly team has to be up there in terms of feeling truly well balanced.

[74_75_78_79_]

Honorable mention - 2018, and then, the '22 Chiefs

10) '00 Ravens
9) '02 Buccaneers
8) '01 Rams
7) '14 Patriots
6) '17 Eagles
5) '16 Patriots
4) '07 Patriots
3) '04 Patriots
2) '24 Eagles (almost '1b'; almost)
1) The 2013 Seattle Seahawks

[Brian wolf]

Honorable mention - 2018, and then, the '22 Chiefs

10) '00 Ravens
9) '02 Buccaneers
8) '01 Rams
7) '14 Patriots
6) '17 Eagles
5) '16 Patriots
4) '07 Patriots
3) '04 Patriots
2) '24 Eagles (almost '1b'; almost)
1) The 2013 Seattle Seahawks

I thought about the 2001 Rams as well. Great season and the team believes the Patriots got away with stealing alot from them as well as beneficial, physical play during the SB itself. A team very similar to 2007 NE.

Atlanta had that 2016 team on the ropes. They were lucky to win but got it done. The team was basically the same as 2018, which barely survived the Chiefs but easily put away the Rams. I think later on, CB Gilmore will make the HOF.

[ChrisBabcock]

1) '13 Seahawks
2) '07 Patriots
3) '24 Eagles
4) '16 Patriots
5) '04 Patriots
6) '02 Buccaneers
7) '01 Rams
8) '00 Ravens
9) '22 Chiefs
10) '17 Eagles

[74_75_78_79_]

Honorable mention - 2018, and then, the '22 Chiefs

10) '00 Ravens
9) '02 Buccaneers
8) '01 Rams
7) '14 Patriots
6) '17 Eagles
5) '16 Patriots
4) '07 Patriots
3) '04 Patriots
2) '24 Eagles (almost '1b'; almost)
1) The 2013 Seattle Seahawks

I thought about the 2001 Rams as well. Great season and the team believes the Patriots got away with stealing alot from them as well as beneficial, physical play during the SB itself. A team very similar to 2007 NE.

Atlanta had that 2016 team on the ropes. They were lucky to win but got it done. The team was basically the same as 2018, which barely survived the Chiefs but easily put away the Rams. I think later on, CB Gilmore will make the HOF.

Maybe I have the '16 Pats too high. Maybe I shouldn't have them above their '14 installment. Not sure.

The 2014 Seattle Seahawks, however, I likely should have at least at HM after thinking about it; maybe better yet placing them above Balt and also TB. They also had the #1 D as they did the year before. A slight drop-off statistically overall. But they allowed no TDs in five of their wins in that 9-1 finish (none in their last two and a half games going into the playoffs). Yes the 3-3 start, losing at home to Dallas who, yes, would finish 12-4 as well, but finished, perhaps, maybe even stronger than they did in Esteemed 2013.

Their offense in 2014 was #9 as opposed to just #17 in 2013. KInd of like the '85 Bears compared to the '86 Bears - the latter, statistically, better. But the 'Hawks made it all the way to the SB and came real close to winning it, and over the Pats. But, yes, they could have easily not made it there in the first place over Green Bay. Not giving the ball to Beast Mode the end of SBXLIX, but one can also say that they were Eli-to-Tyree-esque "lucky" (Russell bomb to Kearse) to be in that position in the first place.

Either way, if it all worked out, it still would be a legit back-to-back with me, and they'd definitely be on this list whilst the Pats would not. I should still place them over Balt & TB anyway, correct me if wrong.

2000 Titans, who I do have beneath the '14 Hawks, simply make this list with a win over Balt in the divisional round and of course then toppling both Oak & NYG. And this, of course, would bounce the Ravens from the list altogether; not even an HM. And Titans would be a bit higher than where Baltimore is. Not just the 13-3 as opposed to 12-4 or they sweeping Steelers which Ravens failed to do. But a bit of a tougher schedule, more quality-wins, and a better offense (no black-eye TD-drought, McNair better than Dilfer). But Ravens did best them when it mattered, winning the overall series that year over them, 2-1, they dominated the rest of the way and that is that.

You can say that a few of Peyton's non-Lombardi teams deserve mention - '05, '07, & '09 Colts along with 2012 Broncos to name those few - but just shy of even HM, I'm afraid.

1) '13 Seahawks
2) '07 Patriots
3) '24 Eagles
4) '16 Patriots
5) '04 Patriots
6) '02 Buccaneers
7) '01 Rams
8) '00 Ravens
9) '22 Chiefs
10) '17 Eagles

We almost seem to have the same ten teams, just not in order. Biggest example is the '17 Eagles. Maybe I do have them too high. "Lightning-in-bottle' but that one-season team is one tough customer against any of this Century's best one-year champs. They should be on this list at the very least. Birds were #1 in 2017 under Wentz all the way until he got injured, and they again were #1 in 2017 once his reliever, Nick Foles, was fully in-groove (NFCCG/SB). Maybe they don't win-it-all with Carson playing all year long, and maybe they don't with Nick playing all year long, but they finished the job the way they did in that very starting-pitcher/relief-pitcher fashion!